Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions
of students and parents.
- How can I know how my child is doing?
- How do you come up with my child's grade?
- What is the purpose of the independent school project?
- Am I allowed to help my child on their Independent Student Project?
- What if we can't stay on top of the due dates?!
- Can I help my child with his/her homework?
- Is there a safe way for my child to search the internet?
- Should I make a referral to TAG? Who can make this referral?
- When is the referral window for TAG?
How can I know how my child is doing?
All graded assignments/tests go
home in the Thursday folder. Also, you may access grades by
following the steps below.
1) Go to http://schools.roundrockisd.org/jollyville/
2) Go to link "Parents" then "Home Access Center" and
click on
"logon"
3) You must register first by clicking on the "here" link
How do you come up with my child's grade?
Morning assignments are graded on a on a check, check plus,
or check minus basis then averaged for the week.
The weekly challenge is due on Friday and is graded on a rubric.
We have quizzes and tests making periodically, as well. The grades
are weighted - the weekly assignment makes up 10% of the grade.
The independent Student Project will be graded and seen by
peers/adults, but no grade will go into the grade book for this
as requested by the district.
What is the purpose of the independent school project?
According to its author, Melanie Bondy, the purpose of the project
is "to give students the opportunity to challenge themselves
in new and creative ways beyond the standard curriculum."
The program is being implemented with third, fourth and fifth
grade gifted students at all Round Rock District schools. Also,
I believe it is meant to be fun, to allow for meaningful
conversations with family members surrounding the project,
and have quality time with parents/guardians/older siblings etc,
while gaining insight into the "real world" using
higher-level thinking skills.
Here's a link to a success story of a former student of Mrs. Bondy's
who tells of how the project experience shaped her future.
http://www.mindvinepress.com/success.html
Am I allowed to help my child on their Independent Student Project?
By all means, please help your child! There are resources found
under each grade's independent project link, as well as, in the
"documents" section. Please refer to the packet of instructions
to see what and when things are due with the break down of points. However, please do not feel as though you now
have homework. Remember this is an "independent" student project. Your child
should be doing the work.
What if we can't stay on top of the due dates?!
The list of dates are merely guidelines. Therefore, they're not
set in stone. We can tweak them as we like. Wherever your
child is in the completion of the project is fine if they're making
good progress on it. This is a time when students learn time
management skills. I do ask that all the requirements
(as does the district) are attempted even if they fall
short of the intended goal. The only date that is in stone is
that it must be completed by the classroom presentation date.
Can I help my child with his/her homework?
For math homework, allow your child to struggle. Research suggests that
mathematics should be learned by problem solving instead
of how most of us learned math - by memorizing steps.
Instead of solving the problem for them, promote problem
solving by asking questions such as:
What do you know already?
What do you need to find out?
What strategies would you use?
Explain what you know about the problem so far.
Can you make a model to show that?
Does that answer make sense?
**The best questions are open-ended
Steven Reinhart. “Never Say Anything a Kid Can Say!"
Mathematics Teaching in Middle School, 2000
http://nctm.org
Is there a safe way for my child to search the internet?
There are several safe browsers if you use go to "Library Resources" on the
Jollyville Website. Also, if you go to my "Links" page, you will see a
"Google Safe" search.
Should I make a referral to TAG? Who can make this referral?
A parent or teacher may refer a student for testing.
Considerations:
*Maturity of your child (especially for primary)
*Learning style of your child (self-directed, able to handle
open-ended tasks and long range planning)
*Length of testing (especially for younger children, 6-8 hour process)
Nationally-normed tests scores are valid for 2 years (students may not
be nominated again for 2 years)
*Student's Independence: Consider if your child is able to complete
long-term projects independently.
Students in grades 1-2 must complete two projects during the
school year - one per semester. TAG identified students in grades 3-5
must complete four projects - one per quarter.
Adapted from RRISD Gifted and Talented Website
When is the referral window for TAG?
Late Summer Assessment/testing for students entering grades 1-12
who moved into the district after the April 30th transfer student
deadline for August placement.
Ongoing Assessment/testing for students in grades 1-12 transferring
into the district from another gifted program; must occur within
30 school days. November Referrals submitted to the campuses for
January testing for students currently enrolled in grades K–11.
January Assessment/testing for students currently enrolled in
grades K–11.
November 14th-December 5th: referal packets can be downloaded
from Talented and Gifted link on the RRISD webpage
starting November 14thhttp://www.roundrockisd.org/index.aspx?page=3664
April 30 Deadline for assessment/testing for students
in grades 1-12 transferring into the district who have previously been identified for gifted services.
May 1 Deadline for parent notification of assessment results for
placement of who tested in January.
**Meet with your child's teacher to discuss student's progress and learning style.
Teachers may recommend screening, but that does not guarantee that the student will
demonstrate a need for program services during the screening process.
If you decide to refer your child for screening, complete the Referral Form in the
Identification Packet during the next district-wide referral opportunity and submit
it to the school office before the deadline posted (Grades K-5).
This packetPackets may be downloaded and printed from the district website
(Academics, Gifted and Advanced Academic Services, Gifted
Services, Identification, Referral Packet)during the referral
window.
Adapted from RRISD Gifted and Talented Website